Ecclestone under fire after shrugging off Hamilton abuse

Monday 18 February 2008 04.37 EST
First published on Monday 18 February 2008 04.37 EST

Bernie Ecclestone was last night criticised for dismissing the recent racism aimed at Lewis Hamilton as a "one-off" and declaring that the decision by motor racing's governing body to launch an anti-racism initiative, was unnecessary.

Ecclestone, formula one's commercial rights holder, yesterday brushed aside the behaviour of a group of Spaniards who abused Hamilton during a testing session in Barcelona two weeks ago as nothing to worry about. "I don't think they're fans," said Ecclestone. "I don't think they're anything. I think they like to abuse people. It was a one-off, nothing to worry about."

But Weyman Bennett, of the campaign Unite Against Fascism, said: "I think these comments are totally unacceptable. There should be a clear message that bigotry and racism are not tolerated in formula one. I think the idea that when people are racist you ignore them is just not acceptable."

The FIA last week revealed plans for their Racing against Racism initiative, which will be unveiled at the Spanish grand prix in April, although Ecclestone told the BBC: "I don't think it's necessary. All it does, like all these things, is give attention to the people who want attention."

But an FIA spokesman last night defended its stance. "The FIA has made its position very clear," he said. "We will not tolerate racism of any kind in our sport and we will take whatever steps necessary to ensure that such scenes of racial abuse are never witnessed again."

Spain will host two grands prix this season - the Spanish race in Barcelona and the European leg on the streets of Valencia - and Ecclestone, who has the power to cancel both events, did concede that the situation needs close monitoring. "We'd have to have a look if anything like that happened [again], but this is just an isolated incident," he added.

Hamilton showed great maturity and coolness last year to finish second in his debut formula one season and Ecclestone believes he has the character to overcome the taunts.

"I don't think he would be affected by it," he said. "I think he is strong enough to know it is all nonsense. I think he is up to it. I think he will cope. It won't faze him. He knows what he can do and what he can't do."